Vacuum table conveying apparatus and associated methods

A vacuum table conveying apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a vacuum chamber positioned to extend along an upper portion of the frame;
• vacuum forming fans positioned in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber for applying a low vacuum with a high volume of air of up to about 700 cubic feet per minute for retaining articles, such as pieces of mail, to said vacuum chamber;
• and
• at least one vacuum belt overlying said vacuum chamber, the at least one vacuum belt having a plurality of openings extending through upper and lower surfaces thereof so that vacuum from said vacuum chamber extends through the plurality of openings and applies to articles mounted on the upper surface of the at least one vacuum belt.

A method of conveying articles comprising:

• providing a low vacuum and high volume air source in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber and formed from a plurality of fans that create a vacuum air flow of up to about 700 cubic feet per minute for retaining articles, such as pieces of mail;
• positioning at least one conveyor belt having a plurality of openings extending therethrough to overlie the vacuum chamber and positioned in fluid communication therewith;
• and
• positioning a plurality of articles on the at least one conveying belt to be held in position by the vacuum applied through the plurality of openings from the vacuum chamber.

A method of printing on conveyed articles comprising:

• providing a low vacuum and high volume air source in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber and formed from a plurality of fans that create a vacuum air flow up to about 700 cubic feet per minute for retaining articles, such as pieces of mail;
• positioning at least one substantially flat conveyor belt having a plurality of openings extending therethrough to overlie the vacuum chamber and positioned in fluid communication therewith;
• positioning a plurality of articles on the at least one conveying belt to be held in position by the vacuum applied through the plurality of openings from the vacuum chamber;
• driving the at least one conveying belt in a predetermined direction;
• sensing the presence of articles positioned on the at least once conveyor belt;
• and
• positioning a head of a printer closely adjacent an upper surface of the substantially flat conveyor belt.